WENATCHEE – Some early morning east bound lane closures on the Senator George Sellar Bridge are planned over the next two weeks. Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Geotechnical crews will be using a special drill to test the soils on the south side of the bridge’s approaches where supports for a new sidewalk structure will be constructed next year. The $13.5 million dollar project to add a third eastbound lane on the bridge will be advertised for private contractor bids this fall and will be built in 2009 and 2010. It will require the current sidewalks be removed so the deck can be re-configured for the new lane. A new 10-foot pedestrian structure will be added to the south side of the bridge.
The lane closures are necessary because the machine must be lowered from the bridge to the six planned drilling locations with a crane. To minimize traffic impacts, the closures will be in effect for the outside eastbound lane only, between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. on the days they’re needed. The closures could begin as early as next Monday morning, but a closure on Wednesday, March 5th is certain. Technicians expect it will take about three days to drill and analyze each site, but the work could proceed faster or slower depending upon what type of soil and rock they encounter. Highway alerts will be sent to local media when a lane closure is needed as the drill is moved to a new site. Technicians won’t be working on weekends. Apple Capital Loop Trail users may be inconvenienced when the work moves to the Douglas County side of the bridge. One of the drill locations will block a few feet of the trail. “We’re asking trail users to watch out for the work and thanking them in advance for their patience and understanding,” said Waligorski.
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